Pastor Mike's thoughts

Thoughts on today's Christian world and how it fits into secular society.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

How is homosexuality right?

I have now come to a conclusion about myself. I have come to the self-realization that I AM NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT. I will never agree with homosexuality. There, I said it. To all those people (even in some VERY misguided churches) that say God accepts this class of people in there present state, I ask you to refer to the story of Sodom and Gomorah. Now does this mean I hate homosexuals, no. I just consider them to be in a state that keeps them from a closer relationship with God just like any other sinner. Now I know that by saying this very open statement, I'll draw some fire, but I would rather be Biblically correct than politically correct. 1 Corintians 6:9-10 says Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thiefs nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderes nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God. There, the Bible says it, not me.It's plain as day, the homosexual offenders are lumped in with the rest of us sinners (yes, I said us). The fact of the matter is that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but we're not forgiven until we recognize that we need our Lord Jesus to forgive us of our sinful ways. That includes homosexuality.

The problem that we as Christians face today is that the vocal minority in this nation are getting laws passed that call us biggots if we have a different view than they do. There is legislation in various states making it against certain non-profit laws for a church to preach against homosexuality. They call it a hate crime, we call it our beliefs. Having said this, I wonder who the biggots really are. The following story is from a local Pastor who does some very incredible writing on how political issues are effecting the church and the believer. Please don't read it and do nothing, write your congress people and let them know that you will not put up with this. Do it for the sake of the Church before it's to late....

Far left Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) has once again introduced his so-called “hate crimes” bill to provide special federal protection for homosexuality, cross-dressing, and transsexualism.

H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, is a rehash of his 2005 bill, according to sources in Congress.

H.R. 1592 claims there is an epidemic of “hate” against homosexuals and cross-dressers that is so pervasive throughout our nation, that local law enforcement officials are overwhelmed in dealing with the problem.

In addition, Conyers’ and his congressional cohorts claim – without any evidence whatsoever – that homosexuals, cross-dressers, etc., are so persecuted in their home states that they are fleeing into neighboring states to avoid persecution.

The legislation asserts that violence against these groups forces “such members to move across state lines to escape the incidence or risk of such violence.” Liberals also claim things are so bad for homosexuals, cross-dressers, etc., that these individuals are prevented “from purchasing goods and services; obtaining or sustaining employment, or participating in other commercial activity.”

The bogus claim that interstate travel is involved in “hate,” is needed by Conyers to invoke federal involvement in local law enforcement through the Interstate Commerce Clause of the Constitution.

“Conyers has created a whole false scenario about hordes of homosexuals and cross-dressers fleeing across state lines in order to justify his dangerous hate crimes bill,” said TVC Executive Director Andrea Lafferty. “If there is such a mass migration of homosexuals, cross-dressers and drag queens across state lines, I wonder why the mainstream media hasn’t reported on this national tragedy? Of course, the truth is that there is no migration of fear-filled drag queens or homosexuals crossing state lines to avoid being beaten up.”

Contrary to what John Conyers claims, there is no epidemic of hate against individuals because of their sexual orientation. FBI hate crime statistics from 2005 (the latest available) report only 1,171 cases of sexual orientation bias against individuals. Of those, 301 were listed as “intimidation,” which is name-calling. Another 333 were listed as “simple assault,” which is pushing or shoving. Only 177 were listed as aggravated assault against a person because of his sexual orientation.

“In a nation of 300 million, the existence of 1,171 “hate crimes” against individuals hardly constitutes a national epidemic that is overwhelming local police departments or sheriff’s departments.

“The ultimate goal of Conyers’ bill is to silence all opposition to the homosexual/transgender political agenda. So-called ‘hate speech’ will be suppressed because it supposedly incites individuals to violence against homosexuals/ transgenders. Defined by homosexuals, hate speech is any verbal or printed materials that criticize the normalization of sodomy in our culture. The goal is to undermine the First Amendment and persecute Christians who oppose homosexuality” said Lafferty.

TAKE ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative immediately and ask that they vote NO on Conyer’s hate crimes bill. Use the information provided above for your email correspondence when you use CapWiz.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Having some ice cream

Sometimes it's easy to get so caught up in our own world that we just plain old forget to take a look around us and slow down. As you notice lately, I have become so busy with so many things going on that I haven't been blogging much. People have asked me why, but to be honest with you, I don't have a real good reason other than the fact that I have poor time management skills.

My friend, Pastor Al Warren, sent me an email today that reminded me the importance of sitting down and taking the time to be with God's people. It reminded me that the act of kindness can rekindle even the coldest of hearts. Please take the time to read the email below that he sent me and se how it touches your heart today.

Saying Grace In A Restaurant

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant.

My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads he said, “God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!”

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!”

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”

“Really?” my son asked.

“Cross my heart,” the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.”

Sunday, March 11, 2007

How to give

Give, and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38, NLT).

In this passage, Jesus made an incredible promise: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:48, NIV).

In other words, the Lord promises that the more we give, the more we will get back. That is amazing, but also dangerous. We really have to be on guard about our motivation. Our heart attitude in giving is something that we have to keep a watch on.

Money shows what's really in the givers heart. The intent of the giver makes all the difference in the world. Our motive should not focus on the return, but on our love for the Lord Jesus and our desire to obey Him. If our motives are pure, we know for sure that we'll get a huge return. But if we try to manipulate God through our giving, the law of sowing and reaping is something we'll never experience.

Oswald Chambers in "My Utmost for His Highest," describes the emptiness of Godly-money manipulation: "Our Lord replies in effect, that abandonment is for Himself, and not for what the disciples themselves will get from it. Beware of an abandonment which has the commercial spirit in it... If we only give up something to God because we want more back, there is nothing of the Holy Spirit in our abandonment; it is miserable, commercial self-interest."

Self-interest is empty because it focuses the spotlight on ourselves and away from God. When we give to a ministry because we don't expect a return other than it will further the Kingdom of God, then we'll really see how God rewards us.

I'm worried about a lot of Christian fund-raising efforts that focuses on this giving and receiving principle and tries to get people to give to their ministry with the promise that they will get more back in return. Yes, the principle is a true one, and if the donor's heart is right, they will receive a reward. But if we are not extremely careful in how this is presented we will play upon people's self-interest and cause them to be tempted to greed, and sin.

Personally, I prefer a ministry that needs to be explained, and let the Holy Spirit speak to people about how much, if any, to give. That way, any giving will truly be of the Sprit and there will be no chance of wrong motive. Remember, it's really about what's in the heart that should determine what we give. Love more, give more.